Interactive sessions with participants and providers

ABSTRACT

Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for sessions with participants and providers. For example, in one embodiment, a provider can interact with multiple participants to conduct interactive treatment sessions. Further, a participant can interact with multiple providers to conduct interactive treatment sessions. For the interactive treatment sessions, motion data and video data of the participant can be simultaneously displayed to the provider.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/912,824 filed Jun. 7, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. ApplicationNo. 61/657,352 filed on Jun. 8, 2012, the contents of which are herebyincorporated in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

Emerging technologies have increased the ability of healthcare,occupational therapy, education providers and the like to take advantageof various telecommunication and information technologies to, forexample, provide care, therapy, or education to various participants,while remote from such participants. However, a need still exists toprovide for real-time management alteration of treatment and educationregimens tied to motion-capture-tracked physical activity and reporting.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide methods,apparatus, systems, computing devices, computing entities, and/or thelike for interactive treatment sessions.

In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided. In one embodiment,the method comprises establishing an interactive session between aparticipant computing entity and a provider computing entity, (a) theinteractive session for a user of the participant computing entity toperform a treatment during the interactive session, (b) the interactivesession comprising a video stream of video data and a motion stream ofmotion data originating from the participant computing entity andprovided to the provider computing entity, (c) the video data of thevideo stream comprising video of the user performing the treatmentduring the interactive session, (d) the motion data of the motion streamcomprising motions of the user performing the treatment during theinteractive session, and (e) the video data and the motion data to bedisplayed simultaneously by the provider computing entity.

In accordance with another aspect, a computer program product isprovided. The computer program product may comprise at least onecomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program codeportions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portionscomprising executable portions configured to establish an interactivesession between a participant computing entity and a provider computingentity, (a) the interactive session for a user of the participantcomputing entity to perform a treatment during the interactive session,(b) the interactive session comprising a video stream of video data anda motion stream of motion data originating from the participantcomputing entity and provided to the provider computing entity, (c) thevideo data of the video stream comprising video of the user performingthe treatment during the interactive session, (d) the motion data of themotion stream comprising motions of the user performing the treatmentduring the interactive session, and (e) the video data and the motiondata to be displayed simultaneously by the provider computing entity.

In accordance with yet another aspect, an apparatus comprising at leastone processor and at least one memory including computer program code isprovided. In one embodiment, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to establish an interactive session between a participantcomputing entity and a provider computing entity, (a) the interactivesession for a user of the participant computing entity to perform atreatment during the interactive session, (b) the interactive sessioncomprising a video stream of video data and a motion stream of motiondata originating from the participant computing entity and provided tothe provider computing entity, (c) the video data of the video streamcomprising video of the user performing the treatment during theinteractive session, (d) the motion data of the motion stream comprisingmotions of the user performing the treatment during the interactivesession, and (e) the video data and the motion data to be displayedsimultaneously by the provider computing entity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an overview of a system that can be used to practiceembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a management computingentity according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a participant or providercomputing entity according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations and processes that can beused in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-16 are exemplary input and output produced by variousembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternativeand conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms“illustrative” and “exemplary” are used to be examples with noindication of quality level. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

I. COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS, METHODS, AND COMPUTING ENTITIES

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various ways,including as computer program products that comprise articles ofmanufacture. A computer program product may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing applications, programs, programmodules, scripts, source code, program code, object code, byte code,compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions,and/or the like (also referred to herein as executable instructions,instructions for execution, program code, and/or similar terms usedherein interchangeably). Such non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia include all computer-readable media (including volatile andnon-volatile media).

In one embodiment, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude a floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or anyother non-transitory magnetic medium, and/or the like. A non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include a punch card, papertape, optical mark sheet (or any other physical medium with patterns ofholes or other optically recognizable indicia), compact disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disc compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digitalversatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non-transitoryoptical medium, and/or the like. Such a non-volatile computer-readablestorage medium may also include read-only memory (ROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory, multimedia memory cards (MMC), secure digital (SD) memory cards,Memory Sticks, and/or the like. Further, a non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include conductive-bridgingrandom access memory (CBRAIVI), phase-change random access memory(PRAM), ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), resistiverandom-access memory (RRAM), Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory(SONOS), racetrack memory, and/or the like.

In one embodiment, a volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random accessmemory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDODRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double datarate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double datarate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM),double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory(DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), Rambusin-line memory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), singlein-line memory module (SIMM), video random access memory VRAM, cachememory, register memory, and/or the like. It will be appreciated thatwhere embodiments are described to use a computer-readable storagemedium, other types of computer-readable storage media may besubstituted for or used in addition to the computer-readable storagemedia described above.

As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the present inventionmay also be implemented as methods, apparatus, systems, computingdevices, computing entities, and/or the like. As such, embodiments ofthe present invention may take the form of an apparatus, system,computing device, computing entity, and/or the like executinginstructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium to performcertain steps or operations. However, embodiments of the presentinvention may also take the form of an entirely hardware embodimentperforming certain steps or operations.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with referenceto block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Thus, it should beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, respectively, may be implemented in the form of acomputer program product, an entirely hardware embodiment, a combinationof hardware and computer program products, and/or apparatus, systems,computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like carrying outinstructions, operations, steps, and similar words used interchangeably(e.g., the executable instructions, instructions for execution, programcode, and/or the like) on a computer-readable storage medium forexecution. For example, retrieval, loading, and execution of code may beperformed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded,and executed at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval,loading, and/or execution may be performed in parallel such thatmultiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together.Thus, such embodiments can produce specifically-configured machinesperforming the steps or operations specified in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations. Accordingly, the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations support various combinations of embodiments for performingthe specified instructions, operations, or steps.

II. EXEMPLARY SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this particular embodiment mayinclude one or more management computing entities 100, one or moreparticipant computing entities 105, one or more provider computingentities 110, and one or more networks 115. Each of these components,entities, devices, systems, and similar words used hereininterchangeably may be in direct or indirect communication with, forexample, one another over the same or different wired or wirelessnetworks. Additionally, while FIG. 1 illustrates the various systementities as separate, standalone entities, the various embodiments arenot limited to this particular architecture.

Exemplary Management Computing Entity

FIG. 2 provides a schematic of a management computing entity 100according to one embodiment of the present invention. In someembodiments, the management computing entity 100 may be associated withan organization engaged in healthcare-related services. In general, theterms device, system, computing entity, entity, and/or similar wordsused herein interchangeably may refer to, for example, one or morecomputers, computing entities, mobile phones, desktops, tablets,notebooks, laptops, distributed systems, watches, glasses, key fobs,radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, ear pieces, scanners,cameras, wristbands, kiosks, input terminals, servers, gaming consoles(e.g., Xbox, Play Station, Wii), blades, gateways, switches, processingdevices, processing entities, relays, routers, network access points,base stations, the like, and/or any combination of devices or entitiesadapted to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes describedherein. The management computing entity 100 may also include, beassociated with, and/or be in communication with a participant database,provider database, a web application server, an activity data server, anaudio/video server, and/or the like. Thus, reference to the managementcomputing entity 100 may also refer to such systems. Such functions,operations, and/or processes may include, for example,transmitting/providing, receiving, operating on, processing, displaying,storing, determining, creating/generating, monitoring, evaluating,comparing, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably. In oneembodiment, these functions, operations, and/or processes can beperformed on data, content, information, and/or similar terms usedherein interchangeably.

As indicated, in one embodiment, the management computing entity 100 mayalso include one or more communications interfaces 220 for communicatingwith various computing entities, such as by communicating data, content,information, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably that canbe transmitted/provided, received, operated on, processed, displayed,stored, and/or the like. For instance, the management computing entity100 may communicate with participant computing entities 105, providercomputing entities 110, and/or various other computing entities.

As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the management computing entity100 may include or be in communication with one or more processingelements 205 (also referred to as processors, processing circuitry,and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably) that communicate withother elements within the management computing entity 100 via a bus, forexample. As will be understood, the processing element 205 may beembodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processingelement 205 may be embodied as one or more complex programmable logicdevices (CPLDs), microprocessors, multi-core processors, coprocessingentities, application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs),and/or controllers. Further, the processing element 205 may be embodiedas one or more other processing devices or circuitry. The term circuitrymay refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination ofhardware and computer program products. Thus, the processing element 205may be embodied as integrated circuits, application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmablelogic arrays (PLAs), hardware accelerators, other circuitry, and/or thelike. As will therefore be understood, the processing element 205 may beconfigured for a particular use or configured to execute instructionsstored in volatile or non-volatile media or otherwise accessible to theprocessing element 205. As such, whether configured by hardware orcomputer program products, or by a combination thereof, the processingelement 205 may be capable of performing steps or operations accordingto embodiments of the present invention when configured accordingly.

In one embodiment, the management computing entity 100 may furtherinclude or be in communication with non-volatile media (also referred toas non-volatile storage, memory, memory storage, memory circuitry and/orsimilar terms used herein interchangeably). In one embodiment, thenon-volatile storage or memory may include one or more non-volatilestorage or memory media 210 as described above, such as hard disks, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, and/or the like. Aswill be recognized, the non-volatile storage or memory media may storedatabases, database instances, database management systems, data,applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, objectcode, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code,executable instructions, and/or the like. The term database, databaseinstance, database management system, and/or similar terms used hereininterchangeably may refer to a structured collection of records or datathat is stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as via arelational database, hierarchical database, and/or network database.

In one embodiment, the management computing entity 100 may furtherinclude or be in communication with volatile media (also referred to asvolatile storage, memory, memory storage, memory circuitry and/orsimilar terms used herein interchangeably). In one embodiment, thevolatile storage or memory may also include one or more volatile storageor memory media 215 as described above, such as RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPMDRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, VRAM,cache memory, register memory, and/or the like. As will be recognized,the volatile storage or memory media may be used to store at leastportions of the databases, database instances, database managementsystems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, sourcecode, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machinecode, executable instructions, and/or the like being executed by, forexample, the processing element 205. Thus, the databases, databaseinstances, database management systems, data, applications, programs,program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiledcode, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/orthe like may be used to control certain aspects of the operation of themanagement computing entity 100 with the assistance of the processingelement 205 and operating system.

As indicated, in one embodiment, the management computing entity 100 mayalso include one or more communications interfaces 220 for communicatingwith participant computing entities 105, provider computing entities,and/or various other computing entities, such as by communicating data,content, information, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeablythat can be transmitted/provided, received, operated on, processed,displayed, stored, and/or the like. Such communication may be executedusing a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiber distributed datainterface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM), frame relay, data over cable service interfacespecification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol.Similarly, the management computing entity 100 may be configured tocommunicate via wireless external communication networks using any of avariety of protocols, such as general packet radio service (GPRS),Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code DivisionMultiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1× (1×RTT), Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous CodeDivision Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), EvolvedUniversal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-DataOptimized (EVDO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), 802.16 (WiMAX), ultrawideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, Bluetooth protocols, wirelessuniversal serial bus (USB) protocols, and/or any other wirelessprotocol.

Although not shown, the management computing entity 100 may include orbe in communication with one or more input elements, such as a keyboardinput, a mouse input, a touch screen/display input, audio input,pointing device input, joystick input, keypad input, and/or the like.The management computing entity 100 may also include or be incommunication with one or more output elements (not shown), such asaudio output, video output, screen/display output, motion output,movement output, and/or the like.

As will be appreciated, one or more of the computing entity's 100components may be located remotely from other management computingentity 100 components, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, oneor more of the components may be combined and additional componentsperforming functions described herein may be included in the managementcomputing entity 100. Thus, the management computing entity 100 can beadapted to accommodate a variety of needs and circumstances.

Exemplary Participant Computing Entity

In one embodiment, a participant (user) may be any individual whoparticipates in a care program with a provider. Such participants may behealth plan members, consumers, customers, patients, students, endusers, and/or the like. FIG. 3 provides an illustrative schematicrepresentative of a participant computing entity 105 that can be used inconjunction with embodiments of the present invention. In general, theterms device, system, computing entity, entity, and/or similar wordsused herein interchangeably may refer to, for example, one or morecomputers, computing devices, computing entities, gaming consoles (e.g.,Xbox, Play Station, Wii), mobile phones, desktops, tablets, notebooks,laptops, distributed systems, watches, glasses, key fobs, RFID tags, earpieces, scanners, cameras, wristbands, kiosks, input terminals, servers,blades, gateways, switches, processing devices, processing entities,relays, routers, network access points, base stations, the like, and/orany combination of devices or entities adapted to perform the functions,operations, and/or processes described herein. As shown in FIG. 3, theparticipant computing entity 105 can include an antenna 312, atransmitter 304 (e.g., radio), a receiver 306 (e.g., radio), and aprocessing element 308 (such as those described above with regard to themanagement computing entity 100) that provides signals to and receivessignals from the transmitter 304 and receiver 306, respectively.

The signals provided to and received from the transmitter 304 and thereceiver 306, respectively, may include signaling information inaccordance with air interface standards of applicable wireless systems.In this regard, the participant computing entity 105 may be capable ofoperating with one or more air interface standards, communicationprotocols, modulation types, and access types. More particularly, theparticipant computing entity 105 may operate in accordance with any of anumber of wireless communication standards and protocols, such as thosedescribed above with regard to the management computing entity 100. In aparticular embodiment, the participant computing entity 105 may operatein accordance with multiple wireless communication standards andprotocols, such as UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN,EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR, Bluetooth, USB, and/or thelike.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the participantcomputing entity 105 can communicate with various other entities usingconcepts such as Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), ShortMessage Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-ToneMulti-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and/or Subscriber Identity ModuleDialer (SIM dialer). The participant computing entity 105 can alsodownload changes, add-ons, and updates, for instance, to its firmware,software (e.g., including executable instructions, applications, programmodules), and operating system.

According to one embodiment, the participant computing entity 105 mayinclude a location determining device and/or functionality. For example,the participant computing entity 105 may include a Global PositioningSystem (GPS) module adapted to acquire, for example, latitude,longitude, altitude, geocode, course, and/or speed data. In oneembodiment, the GPS module acquires data, sometimes known as ephemerisdata, by identifying the number of satellites in view and the relativepositions of those satellites.

The participant computing entity 105 may also comprise a user interface(that can include a display 316 coupled to a processing element 308)and/or a user input interface (coupled to a processing element 308). Forexample, the user interface may be an appropriate application, displayarea, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/or similar words usedherein interchangeably executing on and/or accessible via theparticipant computing entity 105 to interact with and/or cause displayof information from the management computing entity 100 and/or providercomputing entity 110, as described herein. The user input interface cancomprise any of a number of devices allowing the participant computingentity 105 to receive data, such as a keypad 318 (hard or soft), a touchdisplay, voice or motion interfaces, or other input device. Inembodiments including a keypad 318, the keypad 318 can include (or causedisplay of) the conventional numeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), andother keys used for operating the participant computing entity 105 andmay include a full set of alphabetic keys or set of keys that may beactivated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition toproviding input, the user input interface can be used, for example, toactivate or deactivate certain functions, such as screen savers and/orsleep modes.

The participant computing entity 105 can also include volatile storageor memory 322 and/or non-volatile storage or memory 324, which can beembedded and/or may be removable. For example, the non-volatile memorymay be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards,Memory Sticks, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, and/orthe like. The volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDODRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM,VRAM, cache memory, register memory, and/or the like. The volatile andnon-volatile storage or memory can store databases, database instances,database management systems, data, applications, programs, programmodules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code,interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the liketo implement the functions of the participant computing entity 105. Asindicated, this may include a participant application that is residenton the entity or accessible through a browser or other user interfacefor communicating with the management computing entity 100, providercomputing entity 110, and/or various other computing entities—includingcapturing, storing, and providing audio data, video data, and/or motiondata.

The participant computing entity 105 may also comprise, be associatedwith, or be in communication with one or more imaging devices and/ormotion capture devices. The terms imaging device, motion capture device,participant computing entity 105, and similar terms are used hereininterchangeably. In fact, although described separately, the imagingdevice and motion capture device may be the same device. In oneembodiment, the imaging device may include one or more cameras, one ormore laser scanners, one or more infrared scanners, one or more imagers,one or more video cameras, one or more still cameras, one or moreInternet Protocol (IP) cameras, and/or the like. The imaging datacaptured by the imaging devices in zones of interest may be capturedusing a variety of formats, such as Joint Photographic Experts Group(JPEG), Motion JPEG (MJPEG), Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG),Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), Portable Network Graphics (PNG),Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), bitmap (BMP), H.264, H.263, Flash Video(FLV), Hypertext Markup Language 5 (HTML5), VP6, VP8, and/or the like.

The motion capture device may regularly, periodically, and/orcontinuously track the positioning/movement of a scene or one or moremarkers (e.g., read/receive/collect/capture position data). In oneembodiment, the motion capture device may comprise a complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor that reads coded lightback from scenes, such as the Kinect for Xbox. The received light can bedeciphered to understand the motion that was captured. Such capturingconcepts are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,050,461 and 8,166,421 andU.S. Publ. Appl. Nos. 2011-0211754, 2011-0025827, and 2011-0158508,which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. Inanother embodiment, the motion capture device may have infrared camerascapable of reading infrared markers. Such a camera in the motion capturedevice may be capable of reading various types of light, includingvisible light and/or ultraviolet light. In one example, a motion capturedevice may even be part of a gaming console. In another embodiment, themotion capture device may include one or more emitters andphototransistors, for example, in the same housing for emittingradiation and reading the reflected radiation (e.g., reflected fromreflective markers). For example, via an emitter, the motion capturedevice may emit radiation. The reflective markers can reflect theradiation for detection by the motion capture device's phototransistor.As will be recognized, a variety of other approaches and techniques mayalso be used.

In another embodiment, the participant computing entity 105 may includeone or more components that are the same or functionally similar tothose of the management computing entity 100, as described in greaterdetail above.

Exemplary Provider Computing Entity

In one embodiment, a provider (user) may be any doctor, physicianassistant, insurance provider, care manager, health provider, trainer,coach, therapist, physical therapist, healthcare-related professional,teacher, and/or similar words used herein interchangeably. In oneembodiment, a provider may operate a provider computing entity 110 thatincludes one or more components that are the same or are functionallysimilar to those of the management computing entity 100 and/or theparticipant computing entity 105. For example, in one embodiment, eachprovider computing entity 110 may include one or more processingelements, one or more display device/input devices (e.g., including userinterfaces), volatile and non-volatile storage or memory, one or moreimage or motion capture devices, and/or one or more communicationsinterfaces. In one embodiment, the user interface may be an appropriateapplication, display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/orsimilar words used herein interchangeably executing on and/or accessiblevia the provider computing entity 110 to interact with and/or causedisplay of information from the management computing entity 100 and/orparticipant computing entity 105, as described herein. This may alsoenable to the provider computing entity 110 to communicate with variousother computing entities—including capturing, storing, and providingaudio data, video data, and/or motion data.

These architectures are provided for exemplary purposes only and are notlimiting to the various embodiments. The term computing entity may referto one or more computers, computing entities, mobile phones, desktops,tablets, notebooks, laptops, distributed systems, watches, glasses, keyfobs, RFID tags, ear pieces, scanners, gaming consoles, cameras,wristbands, kiosks, input terminals, servers, blades, gateways,switches, processing devices, processing entities, relays, routers,network access points, base stations, the like, and/or any combinationof devices or entities adapted to perform the functions, operations,and/or processes described herein.

III. EXEMPLARY SYSTEM OPERATION

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 4-16. FIG. 4 is a flowchartillustrating operations and processes that can be used in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention. And FIGS. 5-16 areexemplary input and output that can be produced by various embodimentsof the present invention.

Participant Profiles

As noted, participants (users) may be health plan members, consumers,customers, patients, students, end users, and/or the like. In oneembodiment, each participant may have one or more participant profilesaccessible via the management computing entity 100. For example, aparticipant or someone on behalf of a participant (e.g., operating aparticipant computing entity 105 executing an appropriate application,display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/or the like) caninput various information to register/enroll and create or update aparticipant profile for storage and use by the management computingentity 100 (Block 400 of FIG. 4). Such profiles can be created, stored,edited, and/or customized manually, automatically, and/orsemi-automatically to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

In one embodiment, a participant (e.g., operating a participantcomputing entity 105) can input various information to be stored inassociation with the corresponding profile. Such information may includethe participant's bibliographic data, such as the participant's name,gender, birthdate, age, text message addresses, languages spoken, phonenumbers, postal address, social security number, and/or the like.Further, such information may include record numbers for theparticipant's electronic medical record (EMR), electronic health record(EHR), and/or personal health record (PHR). In one embodiment, theparticipant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) caninput medical data or such medical data can be semi-automatically orautomatically retrieved by medical record data corresponding to theparticipant's surgeries, allergies, symptoms, medical conditions,primary care physician, specialist medical providers, health insuranceinformation, health insurance authorizations (e.g., authorizations fordurable medical equipment and/or outpatient surgery), medical claims,prescriptions, conditions, diagnoses, schedules, treatments, illnesses,concerns, insurance information, payment information, family history,and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the management computing entity 100 may alsoretrieve external data that may affect the participant's health andstore the same in association with the participant's profile. Suchexternal data may include data from various external data providers.Such data may include census data, state cancer profile data, diseaseoutbreak data, chemical or toxic exposure data, demographic data, vitalstatistics data, and/or the like. The external data may also includeweather-related data, such as data associated with thunderstorms,hurricanes, pollen levels, precipitation, cold fronts, heat waves,tornados, changes in barometric pressure, and/or the like. As will berecognized, external data may include data from various sources for avariety of reasons.

Provider Profiles

As noted, providers (users) may be doctors, physician assistants,insurance providers, care managers, health providers, trainers, coaches,therapists, physical therapists, healthcare-related professionals,teachers, and/or the like. In one embodiment, each provider may have oneor more provider profiles accessible via the management computing entity100. For example, a provider or someone on behalf of a provider (e.g.,operating a provider computing entity 110 executing an appropriateapplication, display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/orthe like) can input various information to register/enroll and create orupdate a provider profile for storage and use by the managementcomputing entity 100 (Block 435 of FIG. 4). Such profiles can becreated, stored, edited, and/or customized manually, automatically,and/or semi-automatically to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

In one embodiment, a provider (e.g., operating a provider computingentity 110) can input various information to be stored in associationwith the corresponding profile. Such information may include theprovider's bibliographic data, such as the provider's name, gender,birthdate, age, languages spoken, phone numbers, postal address, and/orthe like. In one embodiment, a provider profile may also include theprovider's contract number, services provided, specialties, expertise,certifications, identification number, license numbers, and/or the like.As will be recognized, a variety of other approaches and techniques canbe used to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

Assessments

In one embodiment, after creating a profile, participants can perform anassessment regarding surgeries, allergies, symptoms, medical conditions,prescriptions, conditions, diagnoses, illnesses, concerns, and/or thelike (Block 405 of FIG. 4). In another embodiment, the assessment mayoccur before the participant enrolls. To do so, a participant (e.g.,operating a participant computing entity 105 executing an appropriateapplication, display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/orthe like in communication with the management computing entity 100) canperform the assessment. The assessment may allow for screeningparticipants for specific conditions and/or indicators that are relevantin determining whether the participants should participate in specificcare pathways, treatments, treatment plans, therapy plans, exerciseregimens, exercises, therapies, programs, and/or the like (and/orwhether they should make an appointment with a specific provider or typeof provider).

As will be recognized, the management computing entity 100 may provide avariety of assessments for various conditions, complaints, diagnoses,illnesses, concerns, and/or the like. For example, a participant (e.g.,operating a participant computing entity 105 in communication with themanagement computing entity 100) may first be prompted to identify thearea of the body that is the primary concern. Or, the participant (e.g.,operating a participant computing entity 105 in communication with themanagement computing entity 100) may be able to select from or input avariety of symptoms, such as back pain, headaches, breathing trouble,coughing, and/or the like. The management computing entity 100 can usethe assessment as a funnel to narrow down the participant's concerns andidentify the potentially appropriate treatments. For instance, assuminga participant has back pain, the participant (e.g., operating aparticipant computing entity 105) may perform an assessment designedwith questions related to the back or shoulder. In this example, theconcern is assumed to be related to a muscle-skeletal condition in theparticipant's shoulder. Thus, the management computing entity 100 canguide the participant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity105) through the appropriate questions to properly classify orcategorize the participant into a variety of categories and/orclassifications. For example, a sample assessment may categorize orclassify a participant as being preventative, low risk, medium risk, orhigh risk (Block 410 of FIG. 4). As will be recognized, a variety ofother approaches and techniques can be used to categorize/classifyparticipants to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

As noted, in one embodiment (much of which is shown in FIG. 5), theclassification or categorization may be to group participants into oneof four categories of risk: (1) preventive (not shown), (2) low risk;(3) medium risk; or (4) high risk. In one embodiment, for participantsconsidered as being preventive or low risk, the management computingentity 100 may recommend that the participants self-treat for a periodof time or until their symptoms continue or become worse. Suchself-treatments may include remaining active, taking over-the-countermedications, watchfully waiting, applying hot or cold packs, and/orperforming prescribed exercises or therapies (e.g., yoga, strengthtraining, form training, and/or the like) guided by the managementcomputing entity 100 and/or aided remotely by providers. Forparticipants considered as being medium risk, the management computingentity 100 may recommend that they schedule a visit with a specificprovide or a specific type of provider for treatment (e.g.,manipulation, acupuncture, and/or the like), and/or provide a variety ofother recommendations including performing prescribed exercises ortherapies (e.g., physical therapies, occupational therapies, and/or thelike). And for participants considered as high risk, the managementcomputing entity 100 may recommend that the participants perform furtherassessments, schedule a visit with a specific provider or a specifictype of provider for treatment (e.g., manipulation, acupuncture, and/orthe like), and/or provide a variety of other recommendations. As will berecognized, the management computing entity 100 can provide a variety ofrecommendations to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

When scheduling an appointment with a provider is a recommendation, themanagement computing entity 100 can provide an appropriate application,display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/or the like forthe participant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) toschedule an appointment with the recommended provider or type ofprovider (Block 425 of FIG. 4). For example, based on the assessment,the management computing entity 100 may identify the types of providersin the participant's geographic area. Thus, through the appropriateapplication, display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/orthe like, both the participant (e.g., operating a participant computingentity 105) and the provider (e.g., operating a provider computingentity 110) can correspond with one another through the managementcomputing entity 100 to perform a variety of tasks—including schedulingappointments.

In one embodiment, in scenarios in which the management computing entity100 recommends that the participant meet with a provider before orinstead of selecting or performing a selected or prescribed treatment,the participant may meet with the provider via an in-person visit,interactive session, and/or the like. During the consultation with theprovider, the provider may review the participant's assessment, performfurther assessments, conduct an initial examination, and/or the like. Ifwarranted, the provider (perhaps with the assistance of the participant)may prescribe an appropriate care pathway, treatment, treatment plan,therapy plan, exercise regimen, therapy, program, and/or the like forthe participant (Blocks 430 and 440 of FIG. 4). In certain embodiments,the provider may also establish or create a baseline for the participant(Blocks 440 and 430 of FIG. 4). The baseline can simply be theparticipant's current state with regard to a condition or selectedtreatment (e.g., current range of motion).

In one embodiment, as appropriate, the management computing entity 100can also provide the recommended care pathways, treatments, treatmentplans, therapy plans, exercise regimens, exercises, therapies, programs,and/or the like from which the participant (e.g., operating aparticipant computing entity 105) can choose. The management computingentity 100 can provide the care pathways, treatments, treatment plans,therapy plans, exercise regimens, exercises, therapies, programs, and/orthe like based on the assessment for a given participant to address theparticipant's concern. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the participant(e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105 in communicationwith a management computing entity 100) may be able to access amarketplace from which he or she can browse and select at least one carepathway, treatment, treatment plan, therapy plan, exercise regimen,therapy, program, and/or the like (Block 415 of FIG. 4). As will berecognized, a variety of other approaches and techniques can be used toadapt to various needs and circumstances.

Sessions

In one embodiment, after either a participant or provider selects anappropriate care pathway, treatment, treatment plan, therapy plan,exercise regimen, therapy, program, and/or the like, the participant(e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) can perform thesame—including at locations remote from the provider and/or at timesconvenient to the participant. Such remote locations may be in theparticipant's home or any other location in which the participant hasaccess to an appropriate participant computing entity 105 (Block 420 ofFIG. 4). To perform such treatments, participants (e.g., operatingparticipant computing entities 105) may need to download, for example, avideo of the selected or prescribed treatment and an avatar (e.g., tomodel the exercise or treatment). Or, the participant (e.g., operating aparticipant computing entity 105) may be able to access the same via anappropriate application, display area, browser, dashboard, userinterface, and/or the like. As will be recognized, such treatments mayinclude videos (and avatars modeling the exercises) that are to befollowed, slide pictures with corresponding audio or text that are to befollowed, and/or the like.

In one embodiment, as described, participants (e.g., operatingparticipant computing entities 105) can perform selected or prescribedtreatments without interaction with a provider (e.g., doctor, physicianassistant, insurance provider, care manager, health provider, trainer,coach, therapist, physical therapist, healthcare-related professional,teacher, and/or the like). Such non-interactive or non-live sessions canbe recorded by the participant computing entity 105 locally andtransmitted/provided to the management computing entity 100 for storage.The management computing entity 100 may provide such sessionfiles/recordings via the interfaces for both provider and participantaccess as will be described. As will be recognized, a variety of otherapproaches and techniques can be used to adapt to various needs andcircumstances.

In another embodiment, the selected or prescribed treatments may beperformed in real time or near real time with a provider (e.g.,operating a provider computing entity 110) interacting with theparticipant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) duringthe same. Such interactions (whether in real time or not) may includefeedback, status changes, encouragement, and/or a variety of otherverbal and non-verbal interactions from the corresponding providers(Block 445 of FIG. 4).

Regardless of whether the sessions are with or without real timeinteraction with a provider, the management computing entity 100 mayenable providers to review information associated with participants,their medical history, treatments, and/or the like. For instance, aprovider (e.g., operating a provider computing entity 110 incommunication with a management computing entity 100) may have theability to review a participant's profile using an “Appointment” tabduring a real-time session/interaction with a participant or before orafter a session/interaction (see FIGS. 7-12). Through an appropriateapplication, display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/orthe like, the provider (e.g., operating a provider computing entity 110)can access a participant's media archive (e.g., previously performed andrecorded treatments). Through the media archive, the provider (e.g.,operating a provider computing entity 110) may access different video,audio, and/or motion capture (e.g., skeleton) files to view or reviewthe same regarding a participant's treatment. The profile, for example,may include the participant's selected or prescribed treatment. Further,a “Notes” tab may enable the provider (e.g., operating a providercomputing entity 110) to create and manage participant notes which canbe stored in association with the participants' record and be exportedto the participant's EMR, PHR, EHR, and/or the like. From a “Progress”tab, for example, a provider (e.g., operating a provider computingentity 110) may view graphs that represent session activity over aperiod of time (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The session activity may represent aparticipant's progress (such as flexibility, exercise time, and/or thelike) that correspond to the participant's individual sessions. In oneembodiment, “Play” images or icons in the Progress tab may be a link orpointer to a corresponding media file for the represented session. Asnoted, this may allow the provider (e.g., operating a provider computingentity 110) to view and review various sessions performed by theparticipant and recorded and stored by the management computing entity100. For instance, while hovering over, clicking on, or otherwiseselecting the play button, the provider computing entity 110 may causedisplay of a popup window of photos and videos from sessions during keypoints. Such key points may be the start of a session, the middle of asession, the end of a session, major or minor errors in exercise duringa session, and/or the like. Through the appropriate application, displayarea, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/or the like, the provider(e.g., operating a provider computing entity 110) may be able to modifya participant's selected or prescribed treatment plan at any time, evenduring a real-time session with the participant. As will be recognized,a variety of other approaches and techniques can be used to provideproviders with access to medical history, treatment, and/or otherinformation for participants.

As noted, treatments can be interactive or real-time sessions withproviders. To begin such interactive or real-time sessions, the parties(e.g., operating the appropriate computing entities 105, 110) mayinitiate or launch their respective applications, browsers, displayareas, dashboards, user interfaces, and/or the like. For example, FIG.13 shows a “Connect to Doctor” image or icon that can be selected by aparticipant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) toinitiate a live or interactive session for treatment with a provider(e.g., operating a provider computing entity 110). The managementcomputing entity 100 may also provide similar functionality for theprovider. As will be recognized, the connectivity of such sessions canbe controlled and coordinated through the management computing entity100. In certain embodiments, this may initiate a session between theparties that has to be accepted by the party not initiating the session.Depending on the embodiment, the management computing entity 100 mayestablish sessions between the appropriate computing entities. In oneembodiment, establishing an interactive session may refer to themanagement computing entity 100 initiating and maintaining/managing theinteractive session between the provider computing entity 110 and theparticipant computing entity 105 (e.g., the data flowing through themanagement computing entity 100). In other embodiment, establishing aninteractive session may refer to the management computing entityfacilitating or brokering the interactive session between the providercomputing entity 110 and the participant computing entity 105 (e.g., thedata flowing to the respective entities in a peer-to-peerconfiguration). As will be recognized, the management computing entity100 can use a variety of approaches and techniques to establishinteractive sessions. Once a session is established, the participant canperform the selected or prescribed treatments for the provider, and theprovider can provide feedback, encouragement, and/or a variety of otherverbal and non-verbal interactions to the participant during thetreatment. FIG. 14 shows a live or interactive session between aparticipant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) and aprovider (e.g., operating a provider computing entity 110).

Although not shown, it will be recognized, a provider (e.g., operating aprovider computing entity 110) may conduct multiple live treatments withvarious participants simultaneously. For instance, a provider inAtlanta, Ga. may schedule and conduct live treatments with (1) aparticipant in London, England, (2) a participant in Seattle, Wash., and(3) a participant in Dalton, Ga., all at the same time. Thus, theappropriate application, display area, browser, dashboard, userinterface, and/or the like may provide the provider with the ability tointeract with multiple participants each of whom is performinginteractive treatments with the provider at locations remote from theprovider at the same time. Further, as previously described, participant(e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) can interact withmultiple providers via the same—e.g., interacting with theirchiropractors, physical therapists, primary care physician, and/or thelike.

In one embodiment, from the participant side during a real-time session,the participant computing entity 105 (e.g., in communication with themanagement computing entity 100) can cause display of the treatment theparticipant is to perform, such as showing/playing a video that is to befollowed, triggering an avatar demonstration slide pictures withcorresponding audio or text that are to be followed, and/or the like.The management computing entity 100 may also remotely alter either inreal-time or in downloadable fashion exercise configurations for suchparameters as motion ranges, heights, angles, motion repetition countsand/or the like. As the participant computing entity 105 causes displayof the treatment the participant is to perform, the participant performs(e.g., mimics, copies, or simulates) the motions, movements, steps,and/or the like for the treatment. The participant (e.g., operating aparticipant computing entity 105) may be able to pause, rewind, forward,and/or resume the session at any time, such as for discussion with theprovider.

In one embodiment, in addition to causing display of the treatment plan,the participant computing entity 105 can capture the participant's audiodata (e.g., audio captured by the participant computing entity 105),video data (e.g., video captured by the participant computing entity105), and motion data (e.g., motion captured by the participantcomputing entity 105) at substantially the same time (the termsubstantially used to account for minor variations in processing). Forexample, the audio and video (e.g., audio and video data) captured bythe participant computing entity 105 may simply be recordings of theparticipant as he or she performs the treatment. The motion (e.g.,motion data) captured by the participant computing entity 105 during thetreatment may correspond to the participant's physical positions. Themotion data, for example, may represent the participant's movements,angles, repetitions, and/or the like using various points correspondingto the participant's body. For instance, exemplary points that may becaptured by the participant computing entity 105 via the motion data areprovided below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Joint Joint Joint Joint Head Left Elbow Right Elbow Left AnkleNeck Left Wrist Right Wrist Left Foot Torso Left Hand Right Hand RightHip Waist Left Fingertip Right Fingertip Right Knee Left Collar RightCollar Left Hip Right Ankle Left Finger Left Thumb Right Finger RightThumb Left Shoulder Right Shoulder Left Knee Right Foot

Table 1 is not an exhaustive list of captured points or data, but issimply illustrative in nature. As will be recognized, further points anddata can be captured—including pulse rates and/or the like. With variouspoints and data captured, a skeleton representative of the participant'smovements, angles, repetitions, and/or the like can be created byconnecting the appropriate points. For instance, a skeleton can becreated or generated from the motion data by connecting the head pointto the neck point, the right ankle point to the right foot point, and soon. With the skeleton, various computing entities can cause display ofthe skeleton that represents the participant's movements, angles,repetitions, and/or the like during the treatment. For instance, asshown in FIG. 13, the treatment (e.g., via video, slides, text, avatars,exercises, audio, and/or the like) may provide an indication to theparticipant (e.g., operating a participant computing entity 105) toraise his or her arms (with thumbs up) to shoulder level in the scapularplane (45° diagonal) and to then lower the arms slowly. Simultaneously,the participant computing entity 105 can cause display of the userperforming the same via the video and the skeleton superimposed on thevideo (see FIGS. 13, 14, and 16). The management computing entity 100can also monitor the participant's progress (e.g., whether theappropriate angles were achieved, the length of time required tocomplete the treatment, whether and when the treatment was completed,the repetitions of requested movements, and/or the like) and alter theparameters of those exercises as required.

In one embodiment, the participant computing entity 105 or managementcomputing entity 100 can also record such data captured at substantiallythe same time (to account for minor variations in processing) locally inone or more files and/or transmit the same to the management computingentity 100 and/or the provider computing entity 110 for storage,playback, viewing, and/or the like. For instance, as described, themanagement computing entity 100 can store such files for access byproviders and/or participants as described above. In an interactive orreal-time context, the participant computing entity 105 may alsostream/transmit/provide the audio data, video data, and motion data as acombined data stream (e.g., with the audio, video, and motionsynchronized). In another embodiment, the participant computing entity105 can stream/transmit/provide the audio data and video data as acombined data stream (e.g., with the audio and video synchronized) andstream/transmit/provide the motion data as a separate data stream (e.g.,not synchronized to the audio and video data). And in yet anotherembodiment, the participant computing entity 105 canstream/transmit/provide the audio data, video data, and motion datacaptured at substantially the same time as separate, individual datastreams (e.g., not synchronized). In one embodiment, the participantcomputing entity 105 can stream/transmit/provide such data streams tothe management computing entity 100 for transmission to the appropriateprovider computing entity 110. In another embodiment, the participantcomputing entity 105 can stream/transmit/provide such data streams tothe appropriate provider computing entity 110 facilitated by themanagement computing entity—e.g., broker the streams in a peer-to-peercommunication between the appropriate provider computing entity 110 andthe appropriate participant computing entity 105.

In one embodiment, in the interactive or live context, the providercomputing entity 110 can receive the audio data, video data, and/ormotion data directly or indirectly from the management computing entity100 and/or the participant computing entity 105. After receiving suchdata, the appropriate computing entity (e.g., management computingentity 100 and/or provider computing entity 110) can cause simultaneous(and separate or combined) display, of both the video (e.g., capturedvideo data) and the skeleton (e.g., captured motion data)—see FIG. 15for a separate display and see FIGS. 13 and 16 for a combined display.The appropriate computing entity (e.g., management computing entity 100and/or provider computing entity 110) can also play the received audio.In the example shown in FIG. 15, the video (e.g., streamed video data)and the skeleton (e.g., streamed motion data) are displayedsimultaneously via separate panes, windows, display areas, interfaces,browsers, dashboards, applications, and/or the like. However, as will berecognized, the video (e.g., streamed video data) and the skeleton(e.g., streamed motion data) can be combined and/or displayedsimultaneously in a single pane, window, display area, interface,browser, dashboard, application, and/or the like—see FIGS. 13 and 16.This may be the case whether such streams are transmitted and receivedas separate or combined streams. Thus, as the motion data representingthe participant's movements, angles, repetitions, and/or the like isdisplayed, the corresponding video can be simultaneously displayed via asingle or separate pane or window. In one embodiment, to facilitate anembodiment of separate displays, separate streams for the participant'svideo data and motion data may be desired. This may allow thetransmitting/streaming computing entity to stream the data withoutcreating a combined data stream and appropriately synchronizing thedata. It may also allow the receiving computing entity to simply receiveseparate streams and simultaneously display the same. In one embodiment,any of the computing entities may select and allow for providers and/orparticipants to enable or disable the motion capture (e.g., skeleton).As will be recognized, a variety of other approaches and techniques canbe used to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

Similarly, the provider computing entity 110 can provide/transmit videoand audio data to the participant computing entity 105 (e.g., via themanagement computing entity 100) as described above with regard to theparticipant computing entity 105. Thus, the video data and audio datafrom the provider computing entity 110 may be provided to theparticipant computing entity 105 in a combined data stream or separatevideo and audio streams. Upon receipt of the appropriate data streams(e.g., via the management computing entity 100), the participantcomputing entity can play audio and/or cause display of the video of theprovider while the participant is performing the selected or prescribedtreatment (see FIGS. 14 and 16). Thus, there is a two-way stream forbetween the computing entities (e.g., whether a direct peer-to-peerstream or an indirect stream through the management computing entity100). As will be recognized, a variety of other approaches andtechniques can be used to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

Such embodiments can be used to establish interactive or real-timesessions between participants (e.g., operating participant computingentities 105) and providers (e.g., operating provider computing entities110)—Blocks 420 and 445 of FIG. 4. Through such interactive or real-timesessions, providers can provide verbal and non-verbal feedback,encouragement, and/or the like. Similarly, the appropriate application,display area, browser, dashboard, user interface, and/or the like canenable the provider to document such sessions. As also noted, theprovider (e.g., operating a provider computing entity 110) may beprovided with the ability to pause, rewind, forward, and/or resume thesession to provide feedback to the participant, adjust the selected orprescribed therapy (for immediate effect on the participant side), takenotes regarding the session, and/or the like.

In one embodiment, the provider (e.g., operating a provider computingentity 110 in communication with a management computing entity 100) maybe able to generate, access, or view various reports for participants(Block 450 of FIG. 4). Such reports may include snapshot of failedmovements (e.g., movements that do not meet a configurable threshold),repetition counts, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, completionpercentage, and/or the like related to one or more of a participant'ssessions. As will be recognized, a variety of other reporting approachesand concepts can be used to adapt to various needs and circumstances.

IV. CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A method, the method comprising: establishing, via one or moreprocessors, an interactive session between a participant computingentity and a provider computing entity, (a) the interactive session fora user of the participant computing entity to perform a treatment duringthe interactive session, (b) the interactive session comprising a videostream of video data and a motion stream of motion data originating fromthe participant computing entity and provided to the provider computingentity, (c) the video data of the video stream comprising video of theuser performing the treatment during the interactive session, (d) themotion data of the motion stream comprising motions of the userperforming the treatment during the interactive session, and (e) thevideo data and the motion data to be displayed simultaneously by theprovider computing entity.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motiondata comprises points representative of body parts appropriatelyconnected to form a skeleton of the user of the participant computingentity.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the participant computingentity enables the participant to conduct interactive sessions with aplurality of providers.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providercomputing entity enables the provider to conduct interactive sessionswith a plurality of participants.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theinteractive session further comprises an audio stream of audio dataoriginating from the participant computing entity and provided to theprovider computing entity.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theinteractive session further comprises a video stream of video data andan audio stream of audio data originating from the provider computingentity and provided to the participant computing entity.
 7. An apparatuscomprising at least one processor and at least one memory includingcomputer program code, the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:establish an interactive session between a participant computing entityand a provider computing entity, (a) the interactive session for a userof the participant computing entity to perform a treatment during theinteractive session, (b) the interactive session comprising a videostream of video data and a motion stream of motion data originating fromthe participant computing entity and provided to the provider computingentity, (c) the video data of the video stream comprising video of theuser performing the treatment during the interactive session, (d) themotion data of the motion stream comprising motions of the userperforming the treatment during the interactive session, and (e) thevideo data and the motion data to be displayed simultaneously inseparate display areas by the provider computing entity.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the motion data comprises pointsrepresentative of body parts appropriately connected to form a skeletonof the user of the participant computing entity.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the participant computing entity enables theparticipant to conduct interactive sessions with a plurality ofproviders.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the provider computingentity enables the provider to conduct interactive sessions with aplurality of participants.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theinteractive session further comprises an audio stream of audio dataoriginating from the participant computing entity and provided to theprovider computing entity.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theinteractive session further comprises a video stream of video data andan audio stream of audio data originating from the provider computingentity and provided to the participant computing entity.
 13. A computerprogram product, the computer program product comprising at least onenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program codeportions comprising: an executable portion configured to establish aninteractive session between a participant computing entity and aprovider computing entity, (a) the interactive session for a user of theparticipant computing entity to perform a treatment during theinteractive session, (b) the interactive session comprising a videostream of video data and a motion stream of motion data originating fromthe participant computing entity and provided to the provider computingentity, (c) the video data of the video stream comprising video of theuser performing the treatment during the interactive session, (d) themotion data of the motion stream comprising motions of the userperforming the treatment during the interactive session, and (e) thevideo data and the motion data to be displayed simultaneously by theprovider computing entity.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13,wherein the motion data comprises points representative of body partsappropriately connected to form a skeleton of the user of theparticipant computing entity.
 15. The computer program product of claim13, wherein the participant computing entity enables the participant toconduct interactive sessions with a plurality of providers.
 16. Thecomputer program product of claim 13, wherein the provider computingentity enables the provider to conduct interactive sessions with aplurality of participants.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13,wherein the interactive session further comprises an audio stream ofaudio data originating from the participant computing entity andprovided to the provider computing entity.
 18. The computer programproduct of claim 13, wherein the interactive session further comprises avideo stream of video data and an audio stream of audio data originatingfrom the provider computing entity and provided to the participantcomputing entity.